Thursday, January 11, 2007 Dimakiling opens bid in Vietnam By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
INTERNATIONAL Master Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City opens his bid for a second Grand Master (GM) norm in the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship, which unfolds today at the Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province in Vietnam.
Dimakiling, which has an ELO rating of 2481 by Fide (International Chess Federation), is one of the seeded players among 41 participants in the men's event.
Filipino GM Mark Paragua is top seed being the highest-rated player in the field with an ELO rating of 2573.
Compatriot GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. is fourth overall with an ELO rating of 2551 behind second-seed IM Wynn Zaq Htun (2566) of Myanmar and third-seed GM Dao Thien Hai (2559) of Vietnam.
RP's Eugene Torre, Asia's first GM, is seeded fifth while Wesley So is seeded 14th.
GM Nelson Mariano II, IMs Darwin Laylo, Ronald Dableo and Leo Daylo are also seeing action in the nine-round Swiss System format chessfest.
Dimakiling, before leaving for Vietnam, told Sun.Star Davao that he has to tally six points to earn his second GM norm.
In the women's event, the Philippines will be represented by Catherine Perena, WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao (ELO 2183), WIM Beverly Mendoza (ELO 2182), Sherily Cua (ELO 2061), Kimberly Jane Cunanan (ELO 1968), Jedara Docena (ELO 1957) and Christy Lamiel Bernales.
The top two male chessers will earn berths to the 2007 World Championships while the female champion will advance to the women's world championship.
